Waldorf Blofeld Owner's manual

Foreword

Blofeld User´s Manual 2

Foreword

Thank you for purchasing the Waldorf Blofeld. You now own

a synthesizer featuring a wide range of unique sounds with

the approved Waldorf quality.

What to read?

The biggest problem with any manual is to find a way to

cover both the needs of an absolute expert and a beginner

alike. There are people who read a manual cover to cover

while others don’t even touch it. The latter is the worst

choice, especially when the manual describes a Waldorf

instrument.

If you decide to read the following manual we promise you a

lot of fun while reading about and working with the Waldorf

Blofeld.

Your Waldorf Team

Hint

Waldorf Music is not liable for any erroneous information

contained in this manual. The contents of this manual may

be updated at any time without prior notice. We made every

effort to ensure the information herein is accurate and that

the manual contains no contradictory information. Waldorf

Music extends no liabilities in regard to this manual other

than those required by local law.

This manual or any portion of it may not be reproduced in

any form without the manufacturer's written consent.

Waldorf Music GmbH, Neustrasse 12, D-53498 Waldorf,

Germany

Foreword

3 Blofeld User´s Manual

Blofeld Development Team

Software: Stefan Stenzel, Wolfram Franke

Hardware/ Housing: Frank Schneider

Design: Axel Hartmann

Manual/ Layout: Holger Steinbrink

Betatest/ Sounddesign: Wolfram Franke, Boele Gerkes,

Achim Gratz, Till Kopper,

Jahnspierr Leyton, Dr. Georg

Müller, Don Petersen, Howard

Scarr, Holger Steinbrink, Sascha

Timm, Dr. Stefan Trippler

Revision: 1.1, January 2009

w Please visit our website www.waldorfmusic.de

Maybe you can download a newer operating system for

your Blofeld.

We would like to thank

Willie Eckl, Joachim Flor, Michael von Garnier, Florian

Gypser, Frank Lauterbach, Achim Lenzgen, Kurt “Lu”

Wangard, and anyone we have forgotten.

Content

Blofeld User´s Manual 4

Content

Foreword ............................................................................................ 2

What to read?.................................................................. 2

Hint ................................................................................ 2

Blofeld Development Team............................................. 3

We would like to thank................................................... 3

Content ................................................................................................ 4

Control Features and Connections ................................................ 7

Front Panel Blofeld Desktop............................................ 7

Connections Blofeld Desktop .......................................... 8

Front Panel Blofeld Keyboard.......................................... 9

Connections Blofeld Keyboard...................................... 10

Introduction...................................................................................... 11

About this Manual......................................................... 11

Symbols ........................................................................ 11

Highlighted Control Features and Parameters................ 11

General Safety Guidelines............................................. 12

Suitable Operating Conditions ...................................... 12

Power Supply................................................................ 12

Operation ..................................................................... 12

Maintenance..................................................................13

Proper Use.....................................................................13

Setup and Connection ....................................................................14

Inventory .......................................................................14

Setup .............................................................................14

Connections ..................................................................14

The USB connection......................................................15

The Blofeld Keyboard Controls ......................................16

Basic Operation ................................................................................18

Switching on/ off............................................................18

System Volume..............................................................18

Selecting Programs ........................................................18

Fast Selection of Sound Banks........................................18

Category Search.............................................................19

Editing Parameters .........................................................19

Editing Parameter Controls.............................................20

Viewing Parameter Values without Change ...................21

Comparing Edited Programs...........................................21

Recalling Edited Programs .............................................22

Storing Programs............................................................22

Multi Mode .........................................................................................24

Multimode Parameter ....................................................24

Content

5 Blofeld User´s Manual

Multi Part Parameter...................................................... 24

Menu Pages Overview .....................................................................29

Sound Parameters ...........................................................................35

Overview of Functions .................................................. 35

Oscillator Section.......................................................... 35

Oscillator Parameter Controls........................................ 36

Oscillator Edit Menu ..................................................... 38

Oscillator 1, 2 and 3 ..................................................... 38

Oscillator Common....................................................... 43

Ringmodulation............................................................. 45

Noise ............................................................................ 46

The Filter Section .......................................................... 47

Filter Section Parameter Controls................................... 47

Filter Edit Menu............................................................. 50

Filter 1 and 2................................................................. 50

Filter Common .............................................................. 52

Modulation Section ....................................................... 53

Parameter Controls of the Filter and Amp Envelope....... 53

Envelopes Edit Menu ..................................................... 54

LFO Parameter Controls ................................................ 57

LFO Edit Menu .............................................................. 58

LFO 1, 2 and 3 .............................................................. 58

Modulation Matrix Parameter Controls ..........................60

Modulation Matrix Edit Menu ........................................61

Modifier.........................................................................61

Amplifier Edit Menu.......................................................63

Effects Parameter Controls..............................................64

Effects Edit Menu ...........................................................64

Effect Bypass..................................................................64

Chorus...........................................................................65

Flanger ..........................................................................65

Phaser............................................................................66

Overdrive ......................................................................66

Triple FX........................................................................67

Delay.............................................................................68

Clk. (Clocked) Delay......................................................69

Reverb ...........................................................................70

Arpeggiator....................................................................72

Arpeggiator Parameter Controls .....................................72

Arpeggiator Step Data Pages ..........................................77

Global Parameters............................................................................81

Global Menu .................................................................81

Utility Menu ..................................................................86

Store Sound Functions ...................................................86

Help Functions ..............................................................86

MIDI Dump Functions ...................................................86

Content

Blofeld User´s Manual 6

Receiving System Exclusive Data .................................. 87

Sound Synthesis Basics................................................................. 89

Oscillators Introduction................................................. 89

Filter Introduction ......................................................... 96

The Comb Filter Types .................................................. 98

Envelope Types ........................................................... 103

Appendix......................................................................................... 106

FM Sources ................................................................. 106

Modulation Sources .................................................... 106

Modulation Destinations............................................. 107

Updating the System Software .....................................109

Tips & Tricks................................................................111

Technical Data ............................................................112

Controller Numbers.....................................................113

Glossary ......................................................................118

Declaration of Conformity ...........................................124

FCC Information ..........................................................126

Product Warranty ........................................................127

Product Support...........................................................127

Control Features and Connections

7 Blofeld User´s Manual

Control Features and Connections

Front Panel Blofeld Desktop

a Display

b Parameter Matrix

c Selection Dial with Play button

d System Volume Dial

e Display Parameter Dials

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Control Features and Connections

Blofeld User´s Manual 8

Connections Blofeld Desktop

A Power supply socket

B MIDI In jack

C USB port for connection to a suited computer

D Stereo audio output left/right (only left: mono, only rights: stereo)

E Stereo Headphone jack

6 Power switch

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Control Features and Connections

9 Blofeld User´s Manual

Front Panel Blofeld Keyboard

a Display

b Parameter Matrix

c Selection Dial with Play button

d System Volume Dial

e Display Parameter Dials

f Pitch Bend Wheel and Modulation Wheel

g Octave Up and Down Button

h Free Button

Control Features and Connections

Blofeld User´s Manual 10

Connections Blofeld Keyboard

A Power supply socket

B MIDI In jack

C USB port for connection to a suited computer

D Stereo audio output left/right (only left: mono, only

rights: stereo)

E Stereo Headphone jack

6 Power switch

7 MIDI Out jack

8 Pedal input

Introduction

11 Blofeld User´s Manual

Introduction

About this Manual

This manual was written to help you to become familiar

with the Blofeld synthesizer. It will also aid experienced

users with routine tasks.

To avoid confusion, the terminology in this manual is

based on the Blofeld parameter names. You will find a

glossary at the end of this manual; it explains the various

terms used.

We also used a uniform set of symbols to show you topics

of particular interest or significance. Important terms are

highlighted in bold letters.

Symbols

m Caution – The comments that follow this symbol

will help you avoid errors and malfunctions.

w Info – Additional information on a given topic.

☞ Instruction – Follow these guidelines to execute a

desired function.

✻ Example – Real-world examples to try out.

Highlighted Control Features and Parameters

All of the Blofeld´s buttons, controls and parameters are

highlighted in bold letters throughout the manual.

Example:

• Press the Play button.

The Blofeld’s different modes and parameter pages are

illustrated in a depiction of the display.

The value range of a continuous parameter is indicated

from low to high with both values shown in italic letters,

separated by three dots.

Example:

Cutoff 0…127

Introduction

Blofeld User´s Manual 12

General Safety Guidelines

m Please read the following safety tips carefully! They

include several precautions you should always

observe when dealing with electronic equipment.

Read all of the instructions before operating your

device.

Suitable Operating Conditions

• Use the device in enclosed rooms only.

• Never use the device under damp conditions such

as in bathrooms, washrooms or around indoor

swimming pools.

• Do not use the device in extremely dusty or dirty

environments.

• Make sure that adequate ventilation is available at

all sides of the device.

• Do not place the device near heat sources such as

radiators.

• Do not expose the device to direct sunlight.

• Do not expose the device to extreme vibrations.

Power Supply

• Never use a different power cable than the one that

came with the Blofeld.

• Unplug the device when you are not using it for

longer periods.

• Never touch the plug with wet hands.

• Always pull the plug when unplugging the device,

never the cable.

Operation

• Never place objects containing liquids on or near

the device.

• Place the device on a stable base only. Use a

suitable platform.

• Make sure no foreign objects find their way into the

chassis. If for some reason this should occur, switch

the power off, unplug the device and consult a

qualified repair center.

• This device, used on its own or with amplifiers,

speakers or headphones, can generate volume levels

that may do irreparable damage to your hearing. For

Introduction

13 Blofeld User´s Manual

this reason you should keep the volume at tolerable

levels.

Maintenance

• Do not open the device or remove the cover. Refer

all service and repair tasks to qualified personnel.

The interior of the chassis contains no components

that require user maintenance.

• Use only a dry, soft cloth or brush to clean the

device. Never use alcohol, cleaning solutions or

similar chemicals. They will damage the surface of

the chassis.

Proper Use

This device is designed exclusively to produce low-

frequency audio signals for the purpose of generating

sound. Any other use is prohibited and voids the warranty

extended by Waldorf Music. Waldorf Music is not liable

for damages due to incorrect use.

m Don´t let your Blofeld beside children, mothers-in-

law or pets. This could lead to critical interactions.

Setup and Connection

Blofeld User´s Manual 14

Setup and Connection

Inventory

The Waldorf Blofeld comes complete with:

• the Waldorf Blofeld (Keyboard) Synthesizer

• an external power supply or a power cable

(Keyboard version)

• a CD-ROM with the complete PDF manual and

other tools

• a printed Quick Start manual

Please ensure all the items above were included. If

something is missing, contact your local dealer.

We recommend that you save the original packing

material for future transport.

Setup

Place the Blofeld on a clean, even surface.

Connections

In order to get started with your Blofeld you will need an

AC power outlet, a mixing console, an amp or/ and an

audio monitor such as a speaker cabinet and last but not

least a MIDI master keyboard for the Blofeld Desktop.

You can also use a computer or sequencer to make use of

the Blofeld’s MIDI features.

☞ To connect the devices:

1. Turn all units off.

2. Connect the Blofeld´s main audio outputs 4 to

your mixing console or your computer audio

interface. Optionally connect the stereo

headphone outputs 5 to a headphone.

3. To play the Blofeld you need a MIDI master

keyboard. Connect its MIDI Out jack to the

Blofeld´s MIDI input 2 (unless you connected a

computer MIDI interface).

4. If you want to use a computer, connect your

computer´s MIDI Out jack to the Blofeld´s MIDI

In jack 2.

5. Optionally you can connect the Blofeld´s USB

port 3 with a USB cable to your computer

Setup and Connection

15 Blofeld User´s Manual

(Windows PC or Apple Mac). After that the

Blofeld is automatically available as a MIDI unit.

6. Connect the power supply cable or the power

cable that came with the Blofeld with the Power

supply 1 jack.

7. Plug the other side of the power supply cable

into a suitable AC power outlet.

8. Press the power switch 6 of your Blofeld.

9. Then switch on the computer (if connected), the

mixing console and finally the amplifier or active

monitor speakers.

w To check the correct reception of MIDI Data send

any MIDI Events to the Blofeld; the MIDI LED lights

up on any incoming MIDI Message. If this is not the

case please check the MIDI connection to the

Blofeld.

w The Main volume of the Blofeld can be changed with

the System Volume Dial d.

w If you do not choose to connect a mixing console,

you can patch the Blofeld’s output signals directly to

an amp or an audio interface. Use an input usually

called Line, Aux or Tape input.

m Before connecting and disconnecting the Blofeld to

a power supply source, turn your amp’s volume

control all the way down to avoid damage due to

on/off switching noise. The Blofeld produces a high

level output signal. Please take care that the

connected playback device is suitable for the high

level of an electronic instrument. Never use the mic

or phono input of the connected amp!

The USB connection

You can connect the Blofeld with a USB cable to your

computer with the following system requirements:

• Windows PC: Windows ME, Windows XP or newer

is recommended, a USB 2 port

• Apple Mac: PowerPC or Intel Mac with Mac OS X

10.3.9 or newer, a USB 2 port

The USB 2 connection of the Blofeld allows

• transmitting and receiving of MIDI data

• dumping of operating system updates for the Blofeld

• data exchange with suitable computer software

Setup and Connection

Blofeld User´s Manual 16

w Keep in mind that you use a USB 2 port of your

computer and a USB 2 suited cable to avoid

problems with data transmission.

w Keep in mind that we offer new operation system

updates from time to time. Please read also the

chapter „Updating the System Software“. You can

install a new operating system as well as MIDI or an

USB connection.

The Blofeld Keyboard Controls

Keyboard

You might have used a similar one before, but as it is

rarely described elsewhere, this is how you use it:

Hit any black or white key to hear a sound. Usually the

sound is louder when you play harder and less loud if you

play softer. Also the pitch of the sounds are usually higher

the more you play on the right side and lower on the left

side. The white keys consist of notes from the C major

scale, if you use another scale you will very likely have to

use some of the black keys as well.

Pitch Bend Wheel

Use this wheel to alter the pitch of the played notes. It will

jump to the center position when you release it.

Modulation Wheel

Use this wheel to alter the sound of the played notes. In

contrast to the pitch bend wheel it does not go back to its

default position on release. Don't worry if sometimes the

sound id not changing, in this case a sloppy sound

programmer forgot to assign it.

MIDI Out Jack

Although we can hardly believe it, the Blofeld is not

enough for some people, so we added an elegant way to

control external sound modules with the Blofeld

keyboard: Just connect MIDI out 7 to you external gear

and play. For use with a computer we recommend the

USB port.

Pedal Input

An electrical sustain pedal switch connected to this input

8 enables you to sustain played notes as long as you

press the pedal. As some pedals open contacts when

pressed and others close, you can adopt Blofeld's

Setup and Connection

17 Blofeld User´s Manual

behaviour to this in the Global Menu. Please refer to the

corresponding chapter.

Octave Down/Up Buttons

Although the MIDI standard requires 128 keys, Blofeld

offers only 49 of those. To compensate this limitation, we

added these buttons g to enable you to reach more keys

that physically accessible. Press Octave down to go one

octave lower, and Octave up to go one octave higher.

Transposition is maximum three octaves up and three

octaves down

Free Button

Just for fun we added an additional button h with

assignable function. The functions are accessible from

Global Menu. Please refer to the corresponding chapter.

Basic Operation

Blofeld User´s Manual 18

Basic Operation

Switching on/ off

The Blofeld ist equipped with a power switch.

☞ To switch the Blofeld on

• Flick the Power switch 6 to switch on the

Blofeld. The display is lit.

☞ To switch the Blofeld off:

• Flick the Power switch 6 to switch off the

Blofeld.

System Volume

The System Volume d controls the Blofeld’s master

volume. The volume setting is global and affects the level

of the audio output 4 and the headphone output 5.

Selecting Programs

Use the Selection dial c to select the sound programs

of the Blofeld.

☞ To select a Program with the Selection dial c:

• Make sure that the Play Sound mode is shown in

the display a. If not, press the Play button c

shortly.

• Use the Selection dial c to select an

appropriate Program. Turning the dial clockwise

increases the Program number, turning the dial

counterclockwise decreases it. When you are at

the end of one Bank and turn the Selection dial

further, you will jump to the beginning of the

next Bank and vice versa. The only exceptions

are the first Program in the first Bank (A001) and

the last Program in the last Bank.

• The display shows the bank number first (A, B,

C,...), after that program number (001 to 128)

and then the name of the selected Program.

Fast Selection of Sound Banks

In Play mode the Banks can be changed quickly by using

the left Display parameter dial e. Turning the knob

clockwise raises the bank number, turning counterwise

lowers it.

Basic Operation

19 Blofeld User´s Manual

Category Search

The Blofeld offers a special function to enable easy

searches for sounds of similar categories. If you’re

searching for pad sounds, only these sounds will be

displayed as you scan the storage banks with the Selection

dial. To accomplish this each sound contains 4 extra

digits in the sound name to define its sound category.

Further details about how to change a sound’s category

are described in the chapter „Storing Programs“ on page

19.

☞ Searching for a special sound categroy:

1. Make sure that the Play Sound mode is shown in

the display a. If not, press the Play button c

shortly.

2. Use the right Display parameter dial e to

select the desired category (e.g. Bass).

3. Use the Selection dial c to scroll through the

patches of the selected category.

☞ Switching off Category Search:

1. Use the right Display parameter dial e to

select off.

w Category Search doesn’t change any program

numbers. It only filters out all patches not belonging

to the selected category. Scrolling through patches

with this function is much faster because only

patches belonging to the selected category are

visible.

Editing Parameters

In order to change or edit a program in the Blofeld, you

must access the appropriate parameters. In spite of the

Blofeld’s compactness it uses a sophisticated user

interface allowing fast editing of any parameter. The

change of any value is done with the so-called endless

rotaries in the Parameter matrix b.

The rotary knobs control parameters with continuous

values. All rotary controls consist of dials. Turning a dial

clockwise increases the corresponding value; turning it

counterclockwise decreases it. The dials have a built-in

dynamic response feature. If you turn the control slowly,

the value changes very smoothly, too. If you turn it faster,

it accelerates as well. This gives you the chance of

adjusting the whole value range in just one turn without

losing accurate control when necessary. Bipolar

parameters (parameters with positiv and negative values)

use special gradation when changing their values. As soon

Basic Operation

Blofeld User´s Manual 20

as the value 0 is reached, the sweep is stopped for a short

period to make it easier to edit the Blofeld.

Editing Parameter Controls

w We recommend to switch on the Auto Edit function

in the Global menu. Read more on this on page 72.

The basic programming of the Blofeld is done via the so-

called Parameter matrix f which has its most important

parameters silkscreened on the machine´s front panel.

Changing the parameters is done with the four endless

rotaries on the bottom of the matrix. Changing the edit

level is done with the four navigation buttons left to the

parameter matrix and the two Display parameter dials

e. This sounds more complex than it is. With a simple

example you will understand the structure of the Blofeld

handling easily.

Would you like to change the Cutoff of Filter 2? Please

proceed as follows:

☞ To access a specific panel parameter:

1. Locate the section that contains the desired

parameter on the front panel. For example, if you

want to change Cutoff of Filter 2, refer to the

Filter section. To do this please press the filter

section button until the LED for Filter 2 lights up

in the Filter section.

2. With the first endless rotary you can now change

the Cutoff parameter of Filter 2.

3. Whenever you change a parameter by moving a

knob, the display shows the edited parameter

and its current value in the upper right corner for

a few seconds.

For each parameter level you can also access an edit

menu, since only the most important parameters can be

directly accessed through the parameter matrix.

To demonstrate this, change the Octave parameter of

oscillator 1. This parameter is not accessable directly

through the parameter matrix.

☞ To access a specific display menu parameter:

1. Choose the parameter section you wish to reach

(here Oscillators). Press the corresponding

button until the LED for Oscillator 1 lights up.

2. Use the Selection dial c to navigate through

the menu pages until you have found your

desired parameter. The name of the menu pages

is shown in the upper area of the display.

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